Feasting on Pancit, Adobo, Lumpia and chocolate cake with ice cream, Casa María celebrated the first day of October, the feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and aspirant Allen Pacquing’s birthday on Monday, October 1. He is the second member of the community to celebrate a birthday this academic year.
Casa María celebrated Rev. Tim Eden’s birthday together as a community on Monday, Sept. 24, followed by a larger gathering with nearly 50 students, staff, Marianists, alumni, family and friends on Tuesday, Sept. 25.
At the weekly Casa Tuesday prayer and dinner social, a birthday buffet was served, which included spiral ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, bread rolls, cookies and Elmo cheesecake pops (for the kids-at-heart).
Fr. Tim later opened a very personalized present, a book entitled The Courage to Teach, complete with handwritten notes. The gift was brought over from his own book collection that he left in Hawai‘i when he moved to Texas!
A trio of treats was served in honor of the three Marianist Martyrs of Ciudad Real on their feast day. Traditional Spanish flan (custard) and magdalenas (muffins) as well as brownies were the featured desserts at Casa Tuesday when Blessed Brothers Carlos Eraña, Jesus Hita and Fidel Fuidio were commemorated at the weekly dinner buffet. Both the chapel and dessert table had framed photos of them to remind nearly 50 students, staff and friends of StMU about the sacrifices the brothers made for their faith. Learn more about the Marianist Martyrs of Ciudad Real.
On the vigil of Mary, Queen of the Apostles (Sept. 5), and for her upcoming nativity day (Sept. 8), Casa Tuesday celebrated with a special birthday cake called “Mystical Rosette.” Because Mary is also known as the “Mystical Rose,” the cake was frosted and decorated with white rosettes. When sliced, the cake revealed three layers of ombré blue in a French vanilla flavor. Happy Birthday, Mother Mary!
Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
~Matthew 11:28~
More than 70 Marianists, friends and family members rested on Labor Day when Casa Maria hosted an end-of-summer social. Everyone enjoyed a buffet menu of BBQ chicken, taquitos, mac and cheese, baked beans and bacon, salads, crackers and cheese, chips and dips, watermelon, desserts and lots of Labor Day libations. The youngest guest was 6-week old Tristan, the great great grandnephew of Father Bill Behringer.
Last Wednesday, August 22nd on the feast of the Queenship of Mary the community officially welcomed two aspirants to the community and the formation program. Andrew Giles joins us after meeting the Marianists in California, he is originally from Oregon. Allen Pacquing is from Hawaii, a graduate of St. Louis School in Honolulu, he has known the Marianist for some time. Andrew will be doing ministry at Central Catholic High School and Allen will be assisting in University Ministry at St. Mary’s University. We welcome these men to the aspirancy program and the Casa Maria Community, please keep their discernment in your prayer!
Serving over 500 burgers at this annual event, SGA and the Casa María Marianists partnered to host Burgers with the Brothers on Tuesday, Aug. 21, on the lawn of the Casa Maria residence at St. Mary’s University.
Early preparation, a crew of dedicated student cooks, picnic tents and cloudy skies contributed to a comfortable-yet-festive start to the academic year as students, alumni, faculty, staff and Marianists enjoyed free hamburgers, hot dogs, a visit from Father Chami and spontaneous dancing.
See more photos on our Flickr album.
Casa Maria Marianists 